In Week 6 we helped host the annual student-led STEM Aboriginal Learners Congress as we are Young Aboriginal STEM Thinkers of South Australia (YASTSA) students.
Over 800 Aboriginal students from across the state came together to explore all things STEM. This year’s theme was cultural innovators: 65+ thousand years in the making. We hosted a workshop where we taught students and teachers about ‘the first chemists’ and used native and modern techniques and ingredients to create playdough and cloud dough to promote wellbeing.
We hosted Dr Kym Thomas during a spotlight yarn session and opened day 2 on the main stage speaking to over 1000 guests. Some highlights for us included keynote speaker Tiahni Adamson, Brian Haddy’s ‘Fire and Froth’ science show, attending workshops where we got to create a bridge and animal trap and performance by Dem Mob who also created a song from scratch with the audience.
Being a YASTSA school meant we contributed a design for the congress t-shirt; can you spot our design on the shirt? Our design integrates the school logo with an Aboriginal viewpoint enhancing the journey of YASTSA leaders within our school. The footprints align with the core values, while the star represents inspiration and is redesigned in an Aboriginal art style. The watering hole, symbolising a gathering place and enduring life force, is depicted atop a book to signify ongoing learning.
